Tiber Septim EXPOSED: The God, the Legend, and the Dark Secrets Behind Tamriel’s Conqueror

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In the game “Oblivion Remastered“, the Third Empire was established by a semi-legendary figure known as Tiber Septim. However, some players might be curious about who this character was. Born from the tumultuous final years of the Second Era, Tiber Septim initiated the lineage of Septim emperors that ruled throughout the Third Era until the Mythic Dawn brought an end to it permanently.

Tiber Septim was not only a formidable warrior and captivating ruler, but his conquests in Tamriel left lasting wounds that would echo through future centuries. His life has been a topic of much debate and controversial interpretation. Upon his passing, he transformed into the deity Talos, thereby expanding the pantheon of Eight Divines to Nine. His status among the Aedra plays a significant role in the events unfolding during Oblivion.

Who Is Tiber Septim in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion?

From the icy realm of Atmora, towards the tail end of the Second Era, a Nordic-descended warrior named Tiber Septim was born under the name Talos. Abandoning his frozen homeland for Skyrim at a tender age, he mastered the art of the Thu’um (the Shout), earning numerous victories. His first triumph took place at Old Hroldan in the Reach, which eventually drew the attention of the Greybeards. In a booming voice, they pronounced Talos Stormcrown, foretelling that his destiny transcended mere warrior status. The Greybeards urged him to journey southward, implying that his birthright was of greater significance than battlefield glory alone.

For several centuries, the Reman Empire had disintegrated, giving rise to numerous rulers and dynasties during the Interregnum period. Across the continent, warlords emerged and disappeared, each vying for the Imperial throne. Among these was a king from Colovia named Cuhlecain, whose aspirations caught the attention of Talos. As a general under Cuhlecain’s command, Talos led armies against the Nords and Bretons at Sancre Tor. When Talos displayed his powerful voice (Thu’um), the Nords perceived him as one of their own, and they allied with King Cuhlecain. In the aftermath, Talos obtained the Amulet of Kings.

wherever Talos tread, dark clouds loomed and armies crumbled beneath his commanding voice, paving a swift path towards the Imperial City for Cuhlecain. However, the hostile Reachmen, perpetual foes of Talos and Cuhlecain, sought retribution. In the dead of night, a Reachman assassin infiltrated their camp, slaying King Cuhlecain and gravely wounding Talos. Though he survived, the injury silenced his voice, leaving him to reign with only a whisper.

As there was no more king, Talos assumed Cuhlecain’s mantle, adopting the Imperial name Tiber Septim, as well as the Nordic title of Ysmir, Dragon of the North.

The Tiber War and Unleashing the Brass God Numidium

With Talos transforming into Tiber, the Septim dynasty began. Few could argue against his Dragonborn lineage, but winning over Tamriel’s regions regarding his rightful rule and joining his Third Empire was a challenge. Swift submission came from some, while Hammerfell remained obstinate, causing Tiber Septim ongoing difficulties even after he successfully conquered it. Black Marsh, though part of the Third Empire, was never formally subdued because of its harsh environment.

One notable action taken by Tiber Septim during this period was his deployment of the Numidium. For millennia, the people of Morrowind had managed to stay beyond the reach of the empires that came and went, thanks to the divine power bestowed upon them by the Tribunal gods. However, towards the end of the Second Era, the Tribunal found themselves disconnected from their source of divinity, the Heart of Lorkhan. Recognizing their waning ability to defend Morrowind, Vivec agreed to a beneficial treaty with Tiber Septim. In return for incorporating Morrowind into his empire, Tiber would be granted an ancient Dwemer construct, the Numidium – a colossal, brass-built automaton of mystical design.

Using this powerful weapon, Tiber Septim aimed at the final stronghold of defiance, the Summerset Isles. Despite their reluctance to join his empire, Tiber brought down the Numidium upon Alinor, reducing cities to ruins and eradicating all opposition until the Altmer capitulated. However, Tiber’s ambition did not cease there; he used the Numidium to eliminate families that he deemed disloyal. Although it temporarily quelled the High Elves, Tiber’s harsh treatment of Summerset would pave the way for resentment so profound that it would eventually lead to the emergence of the Thalmor and the Third Aldmeri Dominion.

In a short while, Tiber wouldn’t keep hold of the Numidium. The enigmatic Underking would challenge Tiber, ultimately destroying the Numidium, which in turn destroyed the Underking. Once the Underking was vanquished, Tamriel was united, and it was then that Tiber Septim declared the Third Era, marking the birth of the Third Empire.

Tiber Septim’s Disputed Origins and the Arcturian Heresy

The story shared earlier is merely one perspective on how Tiber Septim ascended to the throne. Generally, it’s believed that Tiber Septim hailed from Atmora, but the Arcturian Heresy questions this. Named after Zurin Arctus, Tiber’s Battlemage, the heresy proposes an alternative origin for Tiber; instead of Atmora, they suggest he was born in High Rock, under the name Hjalti Early-Beard, a Breton. From the very beginning, Hjalti served alongside Cuhlecain, yet his aspirations were not confined to being one of his warriors; rather, he harbored loftier ambitions.

In my gaming world, I found myself teaming up with Zurin Arcturus and the Nordic spirit, Ysmir Wulfharth, also known as the Ash King. My comrade was Hjalti, who, it’s said, couldn’t utter a sound, but had the wind spirit, Wulfharth, doing his shouting for him. As our bond weakened, and Ysmir grew less trustworthy, Hjalti had to improvise, eliminating Cuhlecain and even slitting his own throat to conceal his inability to shout any longer.

After the triumphant takeover of Tamriel by the Numidium, two contrasting narratives surface: One claims that Zurin Arctus imbued a gem known as the Mantella with his spirit to fuel the Numidium, but grew furious at Tiber’s mishandling of the brass golem and rose in rebellion. The Numidium and Mantella were subsequently destroyed, leaving Arctus’ soul in a sort of limbo, where he became the semi-living Underking.

Another person posits that it was Wulfharth’s spirit which fueled the Numidium, and when Tiber and Arctus deceived Wulfharth into being imprisoned in the Mantella, his trapped soul ended up killing Zurin Arctus. Later on, Wulfharth would resurface as the Underking to demolish the Numidium.

How Tiber Septim the Man Became Talos the God

In the year 3E 38, Tiber Septim passed away, and it was announced that as his soul ascended to Aetherius, the Eight Divines would now be recognized as Nine. Known posthumously as Talos, he became a significant figure in the Imperial pantheon of deities, symbolizing human spirit. There were whispers at the time that he had assumed the role of the Underking, although this claim has been met with much debate.

From a fan’s perspective, the true essence of Talos remains elusive. While most commonly perceived as identical to Tiber Septim, the Arcturian Heresy offers an alternative viewpoint. Instead of simply being Tiber, Talos could potentially represent the combined spirit of Zurin Arctus, Ysmir Wulfharth, and Hjalti Early-Beard. This fusion of souls is thought to have given birth to the god revered by mortal men across Tamriel. In Skyrim, particularly, worship of Talos is profound, as the Nords believe he was Talos of Atmora in his human form. Regardless of the actual truth, Talos has become a beacon for mortals everywhere.

Tiber Septim Achieved Chim and Changed Cyrodiil for All Time

In the realm of “The Elder Scrolls“, the term “Chim” is somewhat mysterious and carries great significance. It doesn’t have a straightforward translation, but it symbolizes a unique mental state that only a select few can attain. In the widely accepted interpretation, “The Elder Scrolls” universe is considered to be a dream conceived by an enigmatic being referred to as the Godhead. Recognizing that you are part of this dream while still maintaining your individual identity is likened to lucid dreaming in our world, enabling one to transcend the usual rules of the cosmos.

Among the renowned actions attributed to Tiber Septim following his conquest of Chim, one significant feat is said to be the dramatic transformation of Cyrodiil’s landscape. Initially, Cyrodiil was a scorching jungle that its inhabitants found unappealing. However, wielding immense power, Tiber Septim miraculously transformed it from a dense jungle into temperate grasslands and forests. This transformation didn’t just convert it into fields; it also had a retrospective effect through time, making it so that Cyrodiil was both a jungle in the past and never truly was one.

It’s clear that Tiber Septim demonstrated signs of attaining Chim, as evidenced by his reinstatement of worship for The One, an ancient monotheistic deity believed by some players to be linked to the Godhead. Regardless of its true significance, Tiber, like notable figures such as Vivec from Morrowind, recognized the essence of his being and leveraged this understanding to advance his goals.

Tiber Septim is a character from The Elder Scrolls series who has much more to discuss about him, but here’s what you need to know for Oblivion Remastered. His influence, whether fair or not, has shaped history over the past six centuries, from Oblivion up to Skyrim, and he remains a highly contentious figure within the community.

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2025-05-04 20:14